Swann enjoying era of success

After growing up in an era of almost routine humiliations, England off-spinner Graeme Swann can hardly believe he is a part of an England squad hoping to make history by claiming a fourth straight Ashes triumph this winter.

England head Down Under in November in the midst of a grip on the famous trophy that has never been so emphatic after wrapping up a relatively straightforward 3-0 series victory over Australia at The Oval in August.

Swann was speaking in his role as a member of the committee of the Bobby Robson Foundation, which hopes to raise ?1million to fight cancer via a series of high-profile prizes in its ongoing charity auction.

He told the Press Association: "Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I'm playing in an era like this.

"Australia seemed almost invincible when I was growing up, and you knew it was going to be 3-0 or 4-1 when the Ashes came round.

"We had some good players in those days but as a young cricketer you never really aspired to win it. To be playing in an era in which we have won it three times in a row, I sometimes find hard to believe."

Nevertheless Swann is adamant the weight of a potential record-breaking achievement will not prove a burden.

"The important thing is to go out and win things and if that rewrites the record books then that's great," added Swann.

"As a team we don't play thinking about records and history. Of course you want to leave a legacy and the more you win the better that legacy will become. If we can win this series then we will be the red-hot favourites when the Ashes come home again."

Swann, who starred as the leading wicket-taker with 26 in the summer series, accepts three consecutive triumphs could lead to some complacency among a new generation of fans brought up on England's heroic recent exploits.

And while Swann made clear there will be no such assumption of victory within the England squad, he insisted the position of favourites is one they are fully entitled to relish.

"Maybe there is some complacency (among fans) but if we're expected to beat them then that's a very good sign," he said.

"We are going out there with the score at 0-0 and we are certainly not taking anything for granted but if we are going as favourites then it is much better than going there as the underdogs.

"I would rather be in a team that is expected to win than any other."

Before heading to Australia, Swann is playing his part in helping promote Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Charity Auction, which this year offers a series of stunning prizes including a trip in a private jet to watch the Monaco Grand Prix, and exclusive seats at next year's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich.

Swann himself is auctioning a bowling lesson, while Robson's beloved Newcastle have added tickets in the chairman's box for their Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United in December.

Swann said: "Sir Bobby was such an iconic and widely respected figure that it was such an honour to be asked to join the committee in the first place, and I will do anything I can to help the cause.

"The quality of prizes shows the affection in which Sir Bobby was held across the whole country and beyond.

"Newcastle fans do like to collectively single out the odd player and hero-worship them, and along with Alan Shearer I think Sir Bobby transcends all of them. He was seen as an absolute hero and commanded so much respect."

:: For more details of the auction visit sirbobbysbreakthroughauction.com